The VPP has suspended North Shillong MLA Adelbert Nongrum and four party workers over “anti-party” activities.
Nongrum has been suspended for a period of three years.
No time frame has been set for the four party workers, Snarbor Laloo, Imti Jamir, Wilstone Sohshang and Richinbusiness Marwein, but the party said the suspension will be effective pending further decision by the State Executive Committee.
VPP Vice President, Kara H Shen in the suspension letters served to Nongrum and four others said that the party has examined their response to a showcase on March 1 of their involvement in anti-party activities.
“It is observed that your reply, rather than expressing remorse or acknowledging the concerns raised, was defensive, confrontational, and lacked any sign of regret for actions deemed detrimental to the party’s interests. Your approach in responding to the show cause notice further indicates a defiance of party discipline and principles, which cannot be overlooked,” the suspension letter to Nongrum said.
He said that the party found his explanation unsatisfactory. “In exercise of its authority under Article III, Clause 5 of the Constitution of the Voice of the People Party, you are hereby suspended from the party for a period of 3 years with immediate effect,” the letter reads.
The suspension letter jointly served to the four others reads, “Instead of addressing the concerns raised, your replies were defensive, confrontational, and devoid of any acknowledgment of wrongdoing or remorse.” The party said the suspension is exercised as per Article III, Clause 5 and Article XII of the party constitution.
The VPP said under suspension, the members can no longer hold any position, responsibility, or membership rights and are not allowed to represent the party in any forum or public platform.
“You are advised to refrain from any actions that may further tarnish the image of the party,” it said.
Nongrum is one of only four VPP legislators in the Assembly and only joined the party in the weeks before the 2023 state election. However, he was reportedly left disappointed after the party did not support his suggestions for MDCs for the Mawkhar-Pynthorumkhrah and Jaiaw seats in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) election.
In February, Nongrum and four disappointed ticket aspirants have put out a video that went viral attacking the party.
Nongrum has seemingly found himself at loggerheads with the party on previous occasions. The party had said that the MLA rejected the party’s instructions on how to implement the MLA scheme, questioned the party’s choice of Ricky AJ Syngkon as MP candidate and did not follow the VPP’s executive committee in the tabling of private bills in the Assembly; Nongrum had been left embarrassed in the Assembly when even his own party members did not support his private bills.
